Apps blog + Smartphones | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog+smartphones
Indexen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2016Sat, 10 Dec 2016 03:17:42 GMT2016-12-10T03:17:42Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2016The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
Apps more popular than the mobile web, data showshttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2014/apr/02/apps-more-popular-than-the-mobile-web-data-shows
<p>The prediction that mobile web use would overtake apps has been disproved by data from analytics firm Flurry that shows games and Facebook driving up app use instead</p><p>The idea that people will shift from using native apps on their smartphones to using HTML5 websites offering the same functionality hasn't played out, according to the analytics company Flurry.</p><p>Instead, US consumers'' use of mobile web sites has dropped by almost a quarter, from an average of 31 minutes daily in March 2013 to 22 minutes a year later.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2014/apr/02/apps-more-popular-than-the-mobile-web-data-shows">Continue reading...</a>SmartphonesAppsFacebookHTML5SoftwareInternetMobile phonesTechnologyWed, 02 Apr 2014 06:00:36 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2014/apr/02/apps-more-popular-than-the-mobile-web-data-showsPhotograph: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty ImagesApps like Facebook and WhatsApp are gathering far more use from users than time on the mobile web. Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty ImagesApps like Facebook and WhatsApp are gathering far more use from users than time on the mobile web. Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty ImagesCharles Arthur2014-04-02T06:00:36ZBlackBerry developer: 37% of app downloads are for BB10 deviceshttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2014/mar/28/blackberry-37-of-app-downloads-are-for-bb10-devices
<p>The troubled smartphone maker has a new challenge on the horizon, with data from its biggest developer showing that apps are far more popular on its poorer selling BB10 handsets</p><p><br>Blackberry's developer community have the best overview of how its users are reacting to the ongoing <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/mar/28/blackberry-revenues-below-1bn-dollars" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">financial drama</a> at the company.</p><p>Hong Kong-based S4BB is the biggest Blackberry app developer, by some estimates its apps comprise one-third of all those available in the BlackBerry app store.</p><p>Top 5 countries now: Indonesia (24%), Canada (11%), US (9%), Saudi Arabia (8%), UK (7%)</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2014/mar/28/blackberry-37-of-app-downloads-are-for-bb10-devices">Continue reading...</a>BlackBerryAppsSmartphonesMobile phonesTechnologyFri, 28 Mar 2014 19:09:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2014/mar/28/blackberry-37-of-app-downloads-are-for-bb10-devicesPhotograph: MAST IRHAM/EPAThe BlackBerry Z10 was launched in January 2013 - so how much is it used by people who download and buy apps? Photograph: Mast Irham/EPAPhotograph: MAST IRHAM/EPAThe BlackBerry Z10 was launched in January 2013 - so how much is it used by people who download and buy apps? Photograph: Mast Irham/EPACharles Arthur2014-03-28T19:09:23Z20 best Android apps and games this weekhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/15/best-android-apps-games-my-talking-tom
My Talking Tom, Football Manager Handheld 2014, ARTPOP, Anomaly 2, Camera Awesome and more<p>It's time for our weekly roundup of brand new and notable apps for Android smartphones and tablets.&nbsp;It covers apps and games, with the prices referring to the initial download: so (free) may mean (freemium) in some cases. The equivalent iOS roundup will be published later today.</p><p>This week: a new structure based on feedback from readers of previous posts. The non-game apps are listed first, followed by the games.&nbsp;Read on for this week's Android selection (and when you've finished, check out previous&nbsp;<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog+series/best-android-apps" data-link-name="in body link">Best Android apps</a>&nbsp;posts).</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/15/best-android-apps-games-my-talking-tom">Continue reading...</a>AndroidGoogleSmartphonesTablet computersMobile phonesMobileDigital mediaTechnologyMediaGamesLady GagaAppsFri, 15 Nov 2013 10:10:50 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/15/best-android-apps-games-my-talking-tomPhotograph: PRMy Talking Tom is the latest in an apps series that has passed 1.2bn downloads.Photograph: PRMy Talking Tom is the latest in an apps series that has passed 1.2bn downloads.Stuart Dredge2013-11-15T10:10:50ZEgmont's Jelly Pie brings humour to kids with YouTube and mobile gameshttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/12/egmont-jelly-pie-youtube-games
New community may come from a publisher, but it's starting with digital media rather than books<p>In 2013, if you're involved in children's entertainment, you're increasingly unlikely to be focusing on one medium or product. TV channel CBeebies makes mobile games, virtual world Moshi Monsters makes magazines, and apps company Outfit7 is working on a TV show from its Talking Friends apps.</p><p>It's also why a book publisher like Egmont's new thing is a "multi-platform humour brand" called <a href="http://www.jellypiecentral.co.uk/">Jelly Pie</a>, which launched earlier this year as an HTML5 website, a YouTube channel and a mobile game. Jelly Pie is also acting as an umbrella brand for Egmont's humour books, including its popular Mr Gum and Agatha Parrot series.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/12/egmont-jelly-pie-youtube-games">Continue reading...</a>AppsPublishingChildrenGamesTechnologyMediaSmartphonesTablet computersYouTubeTue, 12 Nov 2013 15:09:52 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/12/egmont-jelly-pie-youtube-gamesPhotograph: PRJelly Pie is a website, a YouTube channel and a mobile game.Photograph: PRJelly Pie is a website, a YouTube channel and a mobile game.Stuart Dredge2013-11-12T15:09:52Z20 best iPhone and iPad apps and games this weekhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/11/best-iphone-ipad-games-nike-move
Nike+ Move, Radio Times DiscoverTV, Star Wars: Tiny Death Star, Lego The Lord of the Rings and more<p>It's time for our weekly roundup of brand new and notable apps for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices.&nbsp;It covers apps and games, with the prices referring to the initial download: so (Free) may mean (Freemium) in some cases.</p><p>There's a separate roundup for Android apps, which was <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/11/20-best-android-apps-and-games-this-week">published earlier in the day</a>. There's also a new format this week, separating out games and non-game apps.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/11/best-iphone-ipad-games-nike-move">Continue reading...</a>iPhoneiPadAppleAppsSmartphonesMobile phonesTablet computersMobileStar WarsRadio TimesLord of the RingsAndy WarholDoctor WhoTechnologyMediaGamesMon, 11 Nov 2013 14:17:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/11/best-iphone-ipad-games-nike-movePhotograph: PRThe Nike+ Move app for iPhone 5s.Photograph: PRThe Nike+ Move app for iPhone 5s.Stuart Dredge2013-11-11T14:17:12Z20 best Android apps and games this weekhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/11/20-best-android-apps-and-games-this-week
Google Helpouts, Star Wars: Tiny Death Star, JumpCam, Google Text-to-Speech, Rayman Fiesta Run and more<p>It's time for our weekly roundup of brand new and notable apps for Android smartphones and tablets.&nbsp;It covers apps and games, with the prices referring to the initial download: so (Free) may mean (Freemium) in some cases. The equivalent iOS roundup will be published later in the day.</p><p>This week: a new structure, based on feedback from readers of previous posts. The non-game apps are listed first, followed by the games.&nbsp;Read on for this week's Android selection (and when you've finished, check out previous&nbsp;<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog+series/best-android-apps" data-link-name="in body link">Best Android apps</a>&nbsp;posts).</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/11/20-best-android-apps-and-games-this-week">Continue reading...</a>AndroidAppsSmartphonesTablet computersGoogleStar WarsMobile phonesMobileDigital mediaTechnologyMediaMon, 11 Nov 2013 11:15:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/11/20-best-android-apps-and-games-this-weekPhotograph: PRStar Wars: Tiny Death Star is free to play on AndroidPhotograph: PRStar Wars: Tiny Death Star is free to play on AndroidStuart Dredge2013-11-11T11:15:39ZToca Boca reaches 50m downloads of its iPhone and iPad apps for kidshttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/08/toca-boca-iphone-ipad-apps-kids
Swedish publisher says US and UK are its biggest markets, but Android business is proving more sluggish<p>Children's apps developer <a href="http://tocaboca.com/">Toca Boca</a> has reached a new milestone on Apple's App Store: 50m downloads of its apps since launching in 2011.</p><p>The company, a subsidiary of Swedish media group Bonnier, says that the US is its biggest market, accounting for 18.3m of those app downloads, followed by the UK with 3.7m.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/08/toca-boca-iphone-ipad-apps-kids">Continue reading...</a>AppsSmartphonesTablet computersiPhoneiPadAppleAndroidGoogleChildrenEducationTechnologyMediaDigital mediaBusinessFri, 08 Nov 2013 11:05:31 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/08/toca-boca-iphone-ipad-apps-kidsPhotograph: PRToca Boca's most recent app is Toca Mini.Photograph: PRToca Boca's most recent app is Toca Mini.Stuart Dredge2013-11-08T11:05:31ZStar Wars: Tiny Death Star game gets pixelly in a galaxy far, far awayhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/07/star-wars-tiny-death-star
LucasArts teams with developer NimbleBit for imperial reworking of Tiny Tower for Android, iPhone and iPad<p>Star Wars fans have a wait ahead to find out if Disney can successfully reboot the famous film franchise – Star Wars: Episode VII is expected to be released in 2015.</p><p>Now they have a new way to fill the time: mobile game Star Wars: Tiny Death Star, a free-to-play mobile game released for <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lucasarts.tinydeathstar_goo">Android</a> and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/star-wars-tiny-death-star/id663576850">iOS</a> today.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/07/star-wars-tiny-death-star">Continue reading...</a>AppsStar WarsMobileSmartphonesiPhoneiPadAndroidAppleGoogleFilmMediaTechnologyGamesThu, 07 Nov 2013 10:57:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/07/star-wars-tiny-death-starPhotograph: PRStar Wars: Tiny Death Star is available for iOS and Android.Photograph: PRStar Wars: Tiny Death Star is available for iOS and Android.Stuart Dredge2013-11-07T10:57:07ZRussell Brand's official app offers fans chance to win one-to-one Skype chatshttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/07/russell-brand-iphone-ipad-app
British star joins Charlie Sheen, Jamie Foxx and Ty Lawson on the roster of apps startup TopFan.<p>It's been a busy autumn for Russell Brand: getting <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/sep/13/russell-brand-gq-awards-hugo-boss">ejected from the GQ awards</a>, touring <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/oct/13/russell-brand-messiah-complex-review">his latest stand-up show</a>, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/nov/05/paxman-politics-russell-brand-voting">sparring with Jeremy Paxman</a> on Newsnight and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/06/protesters-gather-million-mask-march">taking part in the Million Mask protest march</a>.</p><p>Now he's setting his sights on a new target: success on the App Store. Brand has become the latest celebrity to release an official mobile app, through a partnership with tech startup <a href="http://top-fan.com/">TopFan</a>. He joins actors Charlie Sheen and Jamie Foxx and basketball star Ty Lawson on the company's roster.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/07/russell-brand-iphone-ipad-app">Continue reading...</a>AppsRussell BrandiPhoneiPadSmartphonesTablet computersMobile phonesAppleComedyCelebrityTechnologyMediaSkypeSnoop DoggUK newsThu, 07 Nov 2013 09:05:56 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/07/russell-brand-iphone-ipad-appPhotograph: Ik Aldama/ Ik Aldama/Demotix/CorbisRussell Brand is the latest celebrity to launch his own mobile app. Photograph: Ik Aldama/Demotix/CorbisPhotograph: Ik Aldama/ Ik Aldama/Demotix/CorbisRussell Brand is the latest celebrity to launch his own mobile app. Photograph: Ik Aldama/Demotix/CorbisStuart Dredge2013-11-07T09:05:56ZDoctor Who's Sonic Screwdriver? There's now an official app for thathttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/07/doctor-who-sonic-screwdriver-app
iPhone augmented reality app released to celebrate 50th anniversary of BBC drama. By <strong>Stuart Dredge</strong><p>Fans of Doctor Who can now get their hands on his famous Sonic Screwdriver gadget, albeit in a virtual form on their iPhones.</p><p>Developer Useless Creations has released <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/id722364342">Doctor Who: Sonic Screwdriver</a>, an app celebrating the BBC drama's 50th anniversary, under official licence from BBC Worldwide.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/07/doctor-who-sonic-screwdriver-app">Continue reading...</a>AppsDoctor WhoiPhoneSmartphonesMobile phonesTelevision industryMediaTechnologyDigital mediaAugmented realityTelevisionThu, 07 Nov 2013 07:54:56 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/07/doctor-who-sonic-screwdriver-appPhotograph: Stuart Dredge for the GuardianThe Doctor Who: Sonic Screwdriver app for iPhone. Photograph: Stuart Dredge/The GuardianPhotograph: Stuart Dredge for the GuardianThe Doctor Who: Sonic Screwdriver app for iPhone. Photograph: Stuart Dredge/The GuardianStuart Dredge2013-11-07T07:54:56ZAngry Birds and Puzzle & Dragons take flight together for themed dungeonhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/nov/04/angry-birds-puzzle-dragons-partnership
Rovio and GungHo Online bring two of the most successful mobile games franchises together for fortnight-long event<p>Mobile game franchises like Angry Birds, Puzzle &amp; Dragons and Clash of Clans aren't just a threat to the traditional games industry individually: their creators willingness to team up is also challenging the mindsets of bigger publishers.</p><p>Witness a new partnership between Angry Birds developer Rovio Entertainment and Puzzle &amp; Dragons developer GungHo Online, which was announced today, hot on the heels of a recent collaboration between GungHo and Clash of Clans creator Supercell.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/nov/04/angry-birds-puzzle-dragons-partnership">Continue reading...</a>Angry BirdsMobileGamesTechnologyMediaSmartphonesTablet computersAppsCultureMon, 04 Nov 2013 14:26:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/nov/04/angry-birds-puzzle-dragons-partnershipPhotograph: PRThe stars of Angry Birds will be appearing in Puzzle & DragonsPhotograph: PRThe stars of Angry Birds will be appearing in Puzzle & DragonsStuart Dredge2013-11-04T14:26:00Z30 best iPhone and iPad apps this weekhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/nov/01/best-iphone-ipad-apps-toca-mini
Toca Mini, Life in the Womb, Papa Sangre II, BBM, The Craftsman, Tweetbot 3, Puzzle &amp; Dragons, Tiny Games, Telegram Messenger, Bandcamp and more<p>It's time for our weekly roundup of brand new and notable apps for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices. And there wasn't one last week, so today's is a BUMPER 30-apps roundup.</p><p>It covers apps and games, with the prices referring to the initial download: so (Free) may mean (Freemium) in some cases. There's a separate roundup for Android apps, which was published earlier in the day.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/nov/01/best-iphone-ipad-apps-toca-mini">Continue reading...</a>iPhoneiPadAppsSmartphonesTablet computersMobile phonesTechnologyMediaAppleFri, 01 Nov 2013 16:39:33 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/nov/01/best-iphone-ipad-apps-toca-miniPhotograph: PRToca Mini gets kids to create animated 3D charactersPhotograph: PRToca Mini gets kids to create animated 3D charactersStuart Dredge2013-11-01T16:39:33ZHailo's future of self-driving cabs will still rely on humanshttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/01/hailo-self-driving-cabs-taxi-app-google-cars
Taxi ordering app will still need skilled professionals but Google cars would be 'the best recruitment tool ever'<p>Two-year old Hailo, which lets people order taxis from their smartphones, claims to have generated $55m in new business.</p><p>Chief executive Jay Bregman told the Guardian's Jemima Kiss at Dublin's Web Summit that the company now has a dedicated team working on complementary, mobile-first products.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/01/hailo-self-driving-cabs-taxi-app-google-cars">Continue reading...</a>AppsTechnologyTransportSmartphonesGoogleFri, 01 Nov 2013 12:56:46 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/01/hailo-self-driving-cabs-taxi-app-google-carsPhotograph: OFFICIAL LEWEB PHOTOS/flickrCo-founder Jay Bregman says Hailo is a brand that is on-demand and mobile native. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/leweb3/7404317348/">Photograph: Official LeWeb Photos/flickr</a>Photograph: OFFICIAL LEWEB PHOTOS/flickrCo-founder Jay Bregman says Hailo is a brand that is on-demand and mobile native. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/leweb3/7404317348/">Photograph: Official LeWeb Photos/flickr</a>Jemima Kiss2013-11-01T12:56:46Z20 best Android apps this weekhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/01/best-android-apps-call-of-duty-ifruit
Call of Duty: Strike Team,&nbsp;Telegram,&nbsp;Juice Cubes,&nbsp;Grand Theft Auto: iFruit,&nbsp;Strikr,&nbsp;Jelly Splash,&nbsp;Virgin Media SmartCall,&nbsp;Stack Rabbit,&nbsp;Crunchyroll Manga,&nbsp;Pocket Harvest, Flyne and more<p>It's time for our weekly roundup of brand new and notable apps for Android smartphones and tablets.</p><p>It covers apps and&nbsp;games, with the prices referring to the initial download: so (Free) may mean (Freemium) in some cases. The equivalent iOS roundup will be published later in the day.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/01/best-android-apps-call-of-duty-ifruit">Continue reading...</a>AndroidAppsSmartphonesTablet computersMobile phonesMobileGamesGoogleCall of DutyGrand Theft Auto 5Virgin MediaTechnologyMediaFri, 01 Nov 2013 08:38:29 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/01/best-android-apps-call-of-duty-ifruitPhotograph: ActivisionCall of Duty: Strike Team is a brand new game in the series for AndroidPhotograph: ActivisionCall of Duty: Strike Team is a brand new game in the series for AndroidStuart Dredge2013-11-01T08:38:29ZDigital Kids: how children are using devices, apps and media in 2013https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/oct/31/digital-kids-devices-apps-media
A day-long liveblog covering the latest research, trends and views on children's changing media habits<p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T16:31:18.121Z">4.31pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Even with a day of posts, this has scratched the surface of what's happening around children, devices and digital media. It's time to close the liveblog, but hopefully it's been interesting and/or thought-provoking. A lot of the issues and trends will be covered at greater length in future articles, so watch this space!</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T15:55:34.494Z">3.55pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The most interesting things about Angry Birds in 2013 aren't the games, good as they are. It's the company's move into two very different areas: shortform TV animation and education.</p><p>"It's not just games we're talking about here: it's a full 360-degree approach to learning, where games are just one part of it. It's not learning by sitting down and playing with a digital device.&nbsp;There's a real substance to it, and a healthy balance between rest, play and work. We feel it's necessary to talk about healthy nutrition and physical exercise, as part of this approach to learning, balance and wellbeing...</p><p>We are studying the formats of the content carefully. We certainly believe a traditional book is good for certain parts, and also that it's important for children to use pen and paper.&nbsp;We also want the children to start learning about music through composing themselves, so we have the five-string instrument. It's a real instrument, not a toy. We already see them enjoying the feeling that they can accomplish something, and of music as something composed by people."</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T15:43:04.365Z">3.43pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>I'm no expert in sentiment analysis, but...</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/stuartdredge">@stuartdredge</a> Mostly dark, dark thoughts about dark things relating to the people who exploit kids through the medium of games.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/stuartdredge">@stuartdredge</a> Well, I mean, it IS the best value. I want my children to be savvy shoppers.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/stuartdredge">@stuartdredge</a> as a parent, this is rather frightening...!</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/stuartdredge">@stuartdredge</a> oh Snoopy... :(</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/stuartdredge">@stuartdredge</a> akin to the business practices of Somalian Pirates.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/stuartdredge">@stuartdredge</a> Apple ought to nix that.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/stuartdredge">@stuartdredge</a> I think that it's wrong to go so high - some may say "buyer beware" but kids are more vulnerable to purchasing pressures</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/stuartdredge">@stuartdredge</a> Unless that is for a lifetime subscription for every future game the dev makes its OUTRAGEOUS.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T15:36:20.385Z">3.36pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>We asked "Where do you listen to music the most?" <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23YouTube&amp;src=hash">#YouTube</a> dominated, but radio wasn't far behind! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23digitalkids&amp;src=hash">#digitalkids</a> <a href="http://t.co/kkN5d76AiL">pic.twitter.com/kkN5d76AiL</a></p><p>The Ofcom&nbsp;<a href="http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/research/media-literacy/october-2013/research07Oct2013.pdf">Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes</a>&nbsp;report had some good stats on kids and music, too.&nbsp;32% of 8-11 year-olds and 66% of 12-15 year-olds listen to&nbsp;music&nbsp;on their mobile phones – the third most popular activity behind texting and calling.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T15:27:08.630Z">3.27pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here's an article from earlier in the year: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/gallery/2013/jun/07/kids-apps-in-app-purchases">10 mobile games for kids with £69.99 in-app purchase options</a>. A rogues gallery including Snoopy, SpongeBob SquarePants, My Little Pony, Skylanders and other familiar brands.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T15:14:08.082Z">3.14pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>That moment you realise modern three year-olds can play Temple Run better than you can...</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T15:03:00.725Z">3.03pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Chris Pitcher, a secondary-school computing teacher, emails with a very relevant question:</p><p>"What about kids who don't have access to the Internet, tablets or other devices? Do they risk being left behind both culturally and educationally? Some schools have the budget to throw devices at students whereas others do not or are not interested."</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T14:57:03.468Z">2.57pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>This is from March, but it's still a <a href="http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/31/disruptions-what-does-a-tablet-do-to-the-childs-mind/?_r=1">really good read from Nick Bilton at the New York Times</a>. The focus: lots of young children are using tablets, but what might the neurological effects be on their brains?</p><p>It cites a report from the <a href="http://adc.bmj.com/content/early/2013/02/21/archdischild-2011-301508">Millennium Cohort Study</a> in the UK about children's media usage:</p><p>"Those who watched more than three hours of television, videos or DVDs a day had a higher chance of conduct problems, emotional symptoms and relationship problems by the time they were 7 than children who did not.&nbsp;The study, of a sample of 11,000 children, found that children who played video games — often age-appropriate games — for the same amount of time did not show any signs of negative behavioral changes by the same age."</p><p>"Learning about solitude and being alone is the bedrock of early development, and you don’t want your kids to miss out on that because you’re pacifying them with a device...&nbsp;They need to be able to explore their imagination. To be able to gather themselves and know who they are. So someday they can form a relationship with another person without a panic of being alone."</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T14:47:14.564Z">2.47pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>An email from British firm <a href="http://dubitlimited.com/">Dubit</a>, which works with brands like the BBC, Cartoon Network and PBS Kids on digital projects, and further back (2000) launched the first 3D Flash virtual world for children. CEO Ian Douthwaite has some thoughts on 2014:</p><p>"We’re expecting 2014 to the year of larger scale family-focused digital entertainment. While there is no avoiding the fact that children love mobile devices, we’re seeing IP owners become more concerned about discoverability and retention, which is difficult for Apps and mini-games to achieve.</p><p>This is making more brands lean more towards immersive experiences, with wider gameplay and stronger social features, rather than quick-fix apps.&nbsp;Likewise, we recognise that a way to circumvent the over populated app stores is through games which involve parents as well as children – kids may be increasingly digital savvy but parents are the gatekeepers and can introduce children to apps they approve of.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T14:43:43.127Z">2.43pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Print isn't dead! Only 20% of the kids we've questioned absorb their literature from a tablet <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23digitalkids&amp;src=hash">#digitalkids</a> <a href="http://t.co/YV04rzfMcM">pic.twitter.com/YV04rzfMcM</a></p><p>More from SuperAwesome's survey of British children.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T14:41:25.579Z">2.41pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>London-based <a href="http://makie.me/">MakieLab</a> is one of the most interesting British startups in the children's entertainment world. It started off with a focus on 3D printing, with children able to customise their own dolls using its website or app, then order them.</p><p>"We started with the question of whether virtual goods could produce physical goods.&nbsp;Would 3D printing mean we could make virtual crates and barrels into real crates and barrels? The short answer was yes, but nobody was going to buy a crate or a barrel…"</p><p>"The tablet has replaced the computer for the kid at home. They will no longer go and sit down with a mouse and turn on the big screen and click around&nbsp;with the mouse… There is no doubt that every kid will have one."</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T14:15:45.221Z">2.15pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>This is fun: a short film by media planning and buying firm Generation Media on how children's media consumption has changed through the ages.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T14:11:58.535Z">2.11pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Something my children have been loving this month is <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/toca-mini/id718082838">Toca Mini</a>, the latest iOS app from Swedish developer&nbsp;<a href="http://tocaboca.com/">Toca Boca</a>. It's a creative app for making mini characters, a bit reminiscent of Nintendo's Miis.</p><p>"There's a good way of doing it and a bad way of doing it. Unfortunately, most people that do it for kids are doing it in the bad way.</p><p>I don't think you should sell consumable items: Smurfberries and the like. I don't think you should do that at all. You should have a conscience. But there is a certain case for expansion packs where you get new content of some sort, where the payment is outside the gameplay behind a parental lock...</p><p>"As an app developer, our intention is never to replace the parent, and I've never met a developer who tries to replace physical play with digital toys. The two aren't mutually exclusive, and they can even be combined.</p><p>Some of these arguments are hypothetical: if kids only used apps all the time, that would be bad. Well, yes, but if kids played football all the time, and that was the only thing they did, that would be bad too. Why would you hold the iPad to that standard?"</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T14:00:09.664Z">2.00pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Dr. Leslie Haddon from the London School of Economics emails pointing me to another report: <a href="http://www.netchildrengomobile.eu/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/upload/1stShortReport_web-colori_ultimo.pdf">Net Children Go Mobile</a>, which was published earlier this month.</p><p>"The average age of first internet use is still dropping,being now 8 years old in the four countries. However, the age at which children start using the internet varies consistently by country, age group and, to a lesser extent, by gender.</p><p>European kids are increasingly mobile, and increasingly social: 53% of children aged 9 to 16 own a smartphone, and 48% use it to access the internet.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T13:41:39.755Z">1.41pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Time for another research report, <a href="http://www.tabletsforschools.co.uk/research-programme/">this time from Tablets for Schools</a>, which conducted a study of what happened when tablets were given to every child in four secondary schools between 2012 and 2013.</p><p>"Results suggest that long-term use of the Tablet has a profound effect on pedagogy, and that pupils benefit from having access to content both at school and at home.</p><p>Pupils appear to have greater engagement with learning, collaboration with peers increases, and teachers can monitor individual progress effectively. There are some concerns about pupil distraction and managing time effectively.</p><p>"The concept of 'distractibility' is unclear. For example, some students claimed music helped them concentrate, others were unable to multitask, and it was also found that a large number of the 5% of students who were 'distracted' during lessons were actually 'also' doing work. However, the key is to have clear rules, effective classroom management, and educating students in using tablets responsibly."</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T13:32:58.562Z">1.32pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Apple said last week that it has a 94% share of the education tablets market, although it's not entirely clear where that stat came from. But what about tablets in the home?</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T13:25:54.110Z">1.25pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here's Lucy – AKA theMoshimonsterkitty – she has 4.4m views and 7k subs on <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23YouTube&amp;src=hash">#YouTube</a>! Video a huge medium <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23digitalkids&amp;src=hash">#digitalkids</a> <a href="http://t.co/fQo4PjCsPS">pic.twitter.com/fQo4PjCsPS</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T13:16:12.658Z">1.16pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Liam Berriman from the University of Sussex's <a href="http://www.sussex.ac.uk/esw/circy/">Centre for Innovation and Research in Childhood and Youth</a> has emailed about a research project he's involved in called <a href="http://www.sussex.ac.uk/esw/circy/projects/face2face">Face 2 Face</a>&nbsp;which looks at how children's lives are shaped around movement between face-to-face and online interactions:</p><p>"Face 2 Face is a 12 month project that aims to develop methodological tools for researching the temporal rhythms of children's everyday lives - be these the long and slow processes that might be captured in stories that children and families tell about themselves, or the more intensive temporalities that structure the course of a day or characterise the life cycle of a 'craze' or an argument. Funded by the&nbsp;National Centre for Research Methods, the project will develop and evaluate a range of methods for exploring the movement between face-to-face and online interactions."</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T13:09:39.132Z">1.09pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>From earlier this year, here's a video on <a href="http://www.kuatostudios.com/games/hakitzu/">Hakitzu</a>, an app from UK firm Kuato Studios that aims to teach children programming skills... through big, fighty virtual robots.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T12:06:05.851Z">12.06pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Man cannot live on liveblog entries alone, so I'm popping off for some lunch. Here's a quick recap of some of the main posts from earlier:</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T11:57:11.557Z">11.57am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Many more children are using smart devices to get education and entertainment, as well as going online. But what are the risks?</p><p>A recent study by the London School of Economics – <a href="http://www.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/research/EUKidsOnline/EU%20Kids%20III/PDFs/Zero_to_eight_Report.pdf">Zero to Eight: Young Children and their Internet Use</a> – noted that the fact that kids are going online at younger ages, and suggested that "their lack of technical, critical and social skills may pose a greater risk than for older children". <a href="http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mediapolicyproject/2013/08/29/online-risks-for-younger-children-increase-with-spread-of-smartphones-and-tablets/">This blog post by Sonia Livingstone</a> has more on that:</p><p>"It is not uncommon for parents to allow very young children to use smartphones and tablets to play games, watch videos and the range of apps aimed specifically at younger children is growing rapidly. It has not been established that children under nine years of age have the capacity to engage with the internet in a safe and beneficial manner in all circumstances.</p><p>This is particularly the case when young children are accessing social sites intended for teenagers and adults, such as Facebook and YouTube; but, greater transparency regarding how data are collected, collated, used and shared via children’s apps specifically aimed at the younger age group, and the provision of opt-out choices for parents and children is also urgently needed."</p><p>"Make a media use plan for your family. Take into account not only the quantity, but the quality and location of media use. Consider TVs, phones, tablets and computers. The rules should be written down and agreed upon by all family members."</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T11:39:08.229Z">11.39am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Children's TV show Yo Gabba Gabba is fabulous, but now one of its creators, Scott Schultz, is working on something new. It's called <a href="http://www.hibabyboo.com/">Hi BabyBoo!</a> and it's a collaboration between his production company The Magic Store and apps firm <a href="http://www.nightanddaystudios.com/">Night &amp; Day Studios</a>.</p><p>"We envision a show overflowing with fun music that provides the foundation for beautiful visuals. In addition to the musical genius of the songwriters at the Magic Store, imagine a sweet instrumental lullaby from the Flaming Lips, Low, or Band of Horses. Or what about a fun song from Frank Black, Mates of State or MGMT? I'm just dreaming out loud here but if I've learned anything from making Yo Gabba Gabba, it's to dream big and collaborate with amazing people.</p><p>It starts and ends with a new cast of cuddly puppet friends who play with real kids. It's also about human characters who peekaboo in with a funny facial expression. And a cast wouldn't be complete without cute animated characters to be friends with."</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T11:19:56.166Z">11.19am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Some more stats on kids and tablets in the UK, this time from a survey of 1,000 parents of 2-6 year-olds by OnePoll, commissioned by the developer of the official <a href="http://www.enterjustinsworld.com/">Justin's World apps</a> for children's TV star Justin Fletcher earlier this year.</p><p>"I'm a bit antiquated when it comes to technology, but I'm astounded at the way children are now using apps from a very young age as a learning tool. It seems like a natural progression to explore that format...&nbsp;The key is the simplicity of the format. It's not too busy, there's no background and no distraction.&nbsp;I wanted to take what we do on television to create that on the phone or tablet."</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T11:05:12.163Z">11.05am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>54 kids were asked, "What's your favourite app" – ahh! So "app" is synonymous with "game", right? <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23digitalkids&amp;src=hash">#digitalkids</a> <a href="http://t.co/bWfCiv73bS">pic.twitter.com/bWfCiv73bS</a></p><p>Any word-cloud about what kids are doing digitally will see Minecraft looming large, as above. Angry Birds, Temple Run, FIFA and Minion Rush all feature too.</p><p>"This is particularly resonant to me, and I suspect many other parents with autistic&nbsp;children. My seven-year-old son, Zac, was confirmed on the scale earlier this year, although in a lot of ways we've always known. He has a somewhat limited vocabulary, and finds noisy social situations like schoolyards frightening and confusing; he is demonstrative, but has difficulty with empathy. We have watched as his younger brother, Albie, has overtaken him on things like reading and writing. But he is funny and imaginative and wonderful.</p><p>And like a lot of children with an autism spectrum condition, he loves Minecraft. From the moment I downloaded the Xbox 360 edition and handed controllers to him and his brother Albie, they have been addicts. At first, they simply trudged across the rolling landscapes, randomly attacking the sheep, cows and ducks that graze each Minecraft world. They would throw together weird hovels, filled with random doors and windows, huge gaps in the walls, bizarre jutting extensions, like nightmarish sets from a German expressionistic horror movie."</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T10:50:40.190Z">10.50am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><a href="https://www.play-i.com/">Play-i</a> is a US startup that's just <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/oct/29/play-i-robots-kids-coding">launched a $250k crowdfunding campaign</a> for its two robots – Bo and Yana – which will help children learn to code in the Scratch and Blockly languages using apps, music and games (as in physical games: the robots can play tag and hide'n'seek).</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T10:40:40.396Z">10.40am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Children's virtual world <a href="http://www.moshimonsters.com/welcome">Moshi Monsters</a> has 70m registered users, but it's facing a tricky time as its young users migrate to tablets. Earlier this month, CEO Michael Acton Smith talked about the challenges this is presenting.</p><p>"I'll be honest, it's been really tough. We thought we'd waltz in and have a successful app, and as most people have found, that universe is really tough. It's great because anyone can create an app, but that's why it's tough. There's so much content...&nbsp;Where I see more our competitors emerging from are definitely in the App Store, everything from Talking Tom to Temple Run to Angry Birds, these extraordinary&nbsp;apps&nbsp;getting tens of millions of downloads.&nbsp;That's where kids are spending a lot of their time these days."</p><p>"They will always start, these new brands, in the mobile and tablet space. And if they're successful then we will start expanding them into different media...&nbsp;Some of the apps we launch will use in-app purchases, some will be paid apps, and some will be completely free and used to generate revenue through making characters more popular."</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T10:32:21.830Z">10.32am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>"Favourite TV Character" is a matter of self-identity. We asked 36 kids at Stratford but no clear winner <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23digitalkids&amp;src=hash">#digitalkids</a> <a href="http://t.co/qvwhKTdkdR">pic.twitter.com/qvwhKTdkdR</a></p><p>I'm enjoying the word-clouds from SuperAwesome: this time, favourite TV characters for kids in Stratford. Is it too late for the BBC to make Gary Lineker the next Doctor Who?</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T10:28:49.205Z">10.28am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>More research from Nielsen, but this time the parent company. It <a href="http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/newswire/2013/a-computer-in-every-classroom-and-a-tablet-in-every-backpack.html">asked American parents about their children's tablet use</a>, and found 54% saying their kids use the devices for educational purposes. It also dug into what children are doing with tablets at school:</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T10:22:29.486Z">10.22am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T10:14:29.166Z">10.14am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>One of the most interesting yet controversial pieces of research into children's use of devices and digital media this year came from Nielsen Book.</p><p>It surveyed 2,000 British children and parents in June, and found that 32% of kids still read books for pleasure on a daily basis, behind only watching TV (36%) and ahead of&nbsp;social networking (20%), watching videos on YouTube (17%) and playing&nbsp;mobile&nbsp;games&nbsp;and apps (16%).</p><p>Only three activities increased in percentage terms between 2012 and 2013: playing "game apps" (the term used by Nielsen Book), visiting YouTube and text messaging. Reading? That was down nearly eight percentage points.</p><p>"It's a snapshot, not a sustainable trend and next year it might go up again. But this is alarming: children are being less engaged with reading," said Henry, who also pointed to industry figures showing an 8% year-on-year drop in (printed) books bought for children.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T10:04:54.294Z">10.04am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Moshi Monsters is marvellous, but does it skew younger? You might think so, but research from another British firm, <a href="http://www.dubitlimited.com/blog/2013/04/25/which-games-are-11-16-year-olds-playing/">Dubit</a>, found earlier this year that 10% of 11-16 year-olds here were still playing it, while 17% were on Disney's Club Penguin.</p><p>That said, adult games were creeping in too: 7% on Runescape and 6% on World of Warcraft, although the fashion-focused Stardoll virtual world also had a decent audience.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T09:54:43.722Z">9.54am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Word-cloud time: what are children in Stratford doing online?</p><p>We asked kids at Stratford their favourite kids' website – <a href="https://twitter.com/moshimonsters">@moshimonsters</a> on top, and lots of <a href="https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial">@SpursOfficial</a> fans! <a href="http://t.co/glgNgFgkSb">pic.twitter.com/glgNgFgkSb</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T09:51:00.617Z">9.51am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Some more research, this time from <a href="http://uk.kantar.com/tech/digital/tech-crazy-kids/">Kantar Media's recent FutureProof study</a>, which found that 48% of adults in households with children have a tablet. It also posed a question about the implications:</p><p>"Devices like tablets have made technology accessible to young children and while parents are conscious that their kids need to be digitally literate, there's also a concern around the wide open world that these devices provide access to."</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T09:47:20.592Z">9.47am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/stuartdredge">@stuartdredge</a> Alice: it only makes animated stories, but the focus means language is simpler. Wrote about it here: <a href="http://t.co/fcZpHQjB4M">http://t.co/fcZpHQjB4M</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T09:40:12.266Z">9.40am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>This video <a href="http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/5156">posted on the Raspberry Pi blog</a> is marvellous: Seven year-old Amelia and five year-old Oliver have used Raspberry Pi to "rig up their house to scare any trick-or-treaters who might visit tomorrow" (i.e. today). More instructions on how they did it <a href="http://www.penguintutor.com/electronics/halloween">can be found here</a>.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T09:37:01.184Z">9.37am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The photo above really is my six year-old's first ever attempt at coding yesterday –&nbsp;with genuinely no input from me about what he should type between the quote marks. Let's just say I had something in my eye for a few minutes after seeing it.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T09:30:06.592Z">9.30am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/Disney">@Disney</a> asked: What's your favourite type of <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23YouTube&amp;src=hash">#YouTube</a> vid? Music videos and sports dominate the answers <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23digitalkids&amp;src=hash">#digitalkids</a> <a href="http://t.co/2zBTachY90">pic.twitter.com/2zBTachY90</a></p><p>Children's network <a href="http://www.superawesome.tv/">SuperAwesome</a> has been travelling the country asking children about their digital media usage. Here's one of its findings (it's tweeting more throughout the day, apparently).</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T09:25:51.625Z">9.25am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Heard of <a href="http://qcraft.org/">qCraft</a>? It's the work of Google's Quantum A.I. Lab: a modpack for Minecraft –&nbsp;a game that's hugely popular among children –&nbsp;that aims to get kids interested in quantum physics.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T09:16:36.483Z">9.16am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>How about kids in America? Kim Wilde is on my internal jukebox for the rest of the morning now, but it's well worth reading the <a href="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/about-us/news/press-releases/">survey released earlier this week by Common Sense Media</a>, based on a survey of 1,463 parents of children aged eight and under.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T09:12:27.489Z">9.12am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Let's kick off the research element to today with the latest report by UK telecoms regulator Ofcom. <a href="http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/research/media-literacy/october-2013/research07Oct2013.pdf">Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes</a> came out in early October, and has masses of data on how British children are getting their entertainment across different devices.</p><p>There's no way to summarise all its contents here, but the tablet stats are particularly noteworthy:</p><p>"Around one quarter of children aged 12– 15 (26%) and 18% aged 8-11 have their own tablet computer, while household ownership of a tablet has more than doubled since 2012 (51% vs. 20%). Use of a tablet computer at home has tripled among 5-15s since 2012 (42% vs.14%) while one-quarter (28%) of 3-4s use a tablet computer at home."</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2013-10-31T09:04:20.492Z">9.04am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><em>The liveblog has now ended, and flipped back to chronological order. Thanks for reading!</em></p><p>Kids these days, eh? If they're not swiping your tablet and filling it with their own apps, they're playing Moshi Monsters, surfing YouTube, creating chicken-packed Minecraft castles or learning to code. Digital natives is an overused buzzphrase, but it's still accurate.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/oct/31/digital-kids-devices-apps-media">Continue reading...</a>TechnologyAppsTablet computersSmartphonesChildrenEducationProgrammingMinecraftYouTubeScienceMediaOfcomDigital mediaThu, 31 Oct 2013 16:31:18 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/oct/31/digital-kids-devices-apps-mediaPhotograph: Stuart Dredge for the GuardianChildren in 2013 are often as comfortable with tablets, apps and digital media as their parents. Photograph: Stuart Dredge/The GuardianPhotograph: Stuart Dredge for the GuardianChildren in 2013 are often as comfortable with tablets, apps and digital media as their parents. Photograph: Stuart Dredge/The GuardianStuart Dredge2013-10-31T16:31:18Z20 best Android apps this weekhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/oct/25/best-android-apps-plants-vs-zombies-2
Plants vs. Zombies 2, YPlan, BBM, Sky Gamblers: Air Supremacy, HarperCollins Unbound, Dead Trigger 2, Aereo Beta, Combat Monsters, Molto and more<p>It's time for our weekly roundup of brand new and notable apps for Android smartphones and tablets.</p><p>It covers apps and games, with the prices referring to the initial download: so (Free) may mean (Freemium) in some cases. The equivalent iOS roundup will be published later in the day.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/oct/25/best-android-apps-plants-vs-zombies-2">Continue reading...</a>AndroidAppsSmartphonesTablet computersMobile phonesMobileGoogleTechnologyMediaGamesCultureFri, 25 Oct 2013 07:48:18 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/oct/25/best-android-apps-plants-vs-zombies-2Photograph: PRPlants vs. Zombies 2 is swinging onto Android devicesPhotograph: PRPlants vs. Zombies 2 is swinging onto Android devicesStuart Dredge2013-10-25T07:48:18ZYes, Angry Birds Go! could knock Nintendo's Mario Kart off its perchhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/oct/16/angry-birds-go-mario-kart
Rovio's next game speeds off in a bold new direction, but move into free-to-play has its risks<p>Hot on the heels of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/sep/18/angry-birds-star-wars-2-review-iphone-ipad-android">Angry Birds Star Wars II</a>, Finnish firm Rovio has announced plans for its next game. <a href="http://go.angrybirds.com/">Angry Birds Go!</a> breaks out of the bird-hurling formula though: it's a Mario Kart-style karting game.</p><p>It will be released on 11 December for iOS, Android, Windows Phone 8 and BlackBerry 10 devices, making it Rovio's most ambitious cross-platform launch yet. Like Angry Birds Star Wars II, there'll be physical "Telepods" toys capable of being scanned in to the game, as well as a blitz of licensed products.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/oct/16/angry-birds-go-mario-kart">Continue reading...</a>Angry BirdsMobileGamesAppsSmartphonesTablet computersDigital mediaNintendoMario KartMobile phonesCultureWed, 16 Oct 2013 11:21:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/oct/16/angry-birds-go-mario-kartPhotograph: PRAngry Birds Go! will be fully free-to-play for iOS, Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerryPhotograph: PRAngry Birds Go! will be fully free-to-play for iOS, Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerryStuart Dredge2013-10-16T11:21:02ZMoshi Monsters: 'We're shifting our DNA away from the web to mobile'https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/oct/10/moshi-monsters-mobile-apps-kids
Mind Candy boss Michael Acton Smith also sees 'an opportunity to do in-app purchases ethically' within children's apps.<p>Children's virtual world Moshi Monsters has signed up more than 70m children and sold $250m of merchandise since its launch in 2008. In 2013, though, parent company Mind Candy is facing its greatest challenge: going mobile.</p><p>It's been trying to do it for some time: back in 2012, chief executive Michael Acton Smith <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2012/jul/05/moshi-monsters-ipad-app">announced plans for a full Moshi Monsters iPad app</a> to be released in the next few months. It's still not out, but in a keynote speech at the MIPJunior conference this week, he explained why.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/oct/10/moshi-monsters-mobile-apps-kids">Continue reading...</a>AppsGamesSmartphonesTablet computersMobile phonesDigital mediaChildrenTelevision industryTechnologyMediaCultureThu, 10 Oct 2013 16:27:27 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/oct/10/moshi-monsters-mobile-apps-kidsPhotograph: Mind CandyMichael Acton Smith: 'We don't want kids – or anyone – to be spending all their time with their face in the screen, but I think tablets are going to be part of 21st-century childhood'Photograph: Mind CandyMichael Acton Smith: 'We don't want kids – or anyone – to be spending all their time with their face in the screen, but I think tablets are going to be part of 21st-century childhood'Stuart Dredge2013-10-10T16:27:27ZHelp for Heroes looks for donations from Hero Bears mobile gamehttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/oct/10/help-for-heroes-hero-bears
Jeremy Clarkson and Lorraine Kelly feature in iOS and Android title aiming to raise money and awareness on the app stores<p>British charity Help for Heroes is hoping to break app store records with a new game – <a href="http://bit.ly/HelpforHeroesApp">Help for Heroes: Hero Bears</a> –&nbsp;which is released for iOS and Android today.</p><p>The game costs £1.99 from Apple, Google and Amazon's app stores, with £1 from every purchase going to the charity, which supports serving and veteran members of the armed forces with serious injuries and illnesses.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/oct/10/help-for-heroes-hero-bears">Continue reading...</a>AppsCharitable givingCharitiesMilitaryGamesSmartphonesTablet computersMobileTechnologyMediaCultureThu, 10 Oct 2013 07:24:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/oct/10/help-for-heroes-hero-bearsPhotograph: PRHelp for Heroes: Hero Bears is available for iOS and Android devicesPhotograph: PRHelp for Heroes: Hero Bears is available for iOS and Android devicesStuart Dredge2013-10-10T07:24:07ZSocial TV apps: 'second screen is what you'd call a lawyer's paradise'https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/oct/08/second-screen-apps-legal-issues
Legal headaches may lie ahead if Shazam, Zeebox and their rivals are used for ambush marketing, suggests Mipcom panel<p>During the 2010 World Cup, a group of Dutch women were arrested on suspicion of ambush marketing, after they attended a match in bright dresses branded by a beer company that wasn't an official Fifa sponsor.</p><p>Now think forward, not to the 2014 tournament, but to 2018, when technology like Google Glass could be the hot tool for these kinds of stunts. Far-fetched? The topic came up at the Mipcom conference in Cannes, during a session involving a panel of lawyers exploring the legal issues around second-screen apps and related technologies.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/oct/08/second-screen-apps-legal-issues">Continue reading...</a>AppsSmartphonesTablet computersTelevisionTelevision industryTechnology startupsLawMediaTechnologyMipcomTue, 08 Oct 2013 14:36:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2013/oct/08/second-screen-apps-legal-issuesPhotograph: PRSecond-screen TV apps like Zeebox are growing in popularity, but could they be controversial for broadcasters?Photograph: PRSecond-screen TV apps like Zeebox are growing in popularity, but could they be controversial for broadcasters?Stuart Dredge2013-10-08T14:36:00Z